- Lamidi Adeosun Blames Elite Manipulation, Weak Governance for Middle Belt Crisis
- Adeosun recommends a multi-dimensional strategy to address the issue
- Unaddressed insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt poses a significant threat to the country’s stability
Retired Military General, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, has said that the rising insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region is a reflection of the country’s larger problem with governance.
Speaking at Lagos State University, Adeosun, who is the former Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Army, delivered a lecture titled “Strategies for Tackling Insecurity in the Middle Belt: An Insider’s Perspective.” Eko Hot Blog reports
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He explained that the insecurity in states like Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa is caused by a mix of long-standing neglect, old rivalries, the exploitation of ethnic and religious differences by the elite, and a general failure of leadership.
However, he identified five main causes for the crisis: ethnic-religious conflicts, land disputes, manipulation by the elite, criminal activities, and poor governance stating that some politicians make the problem worse by arming young people during elections and then abandoning them, which can lead to the rise of militia leaders. Citing example of a notorious warlord known as “Gana.”
He also highlighted that criminal groups are becoming more sophisticated in kidnappings and other crimes, and he blamed this on weak policing and widespread corruption.
To fix these problems, Adeosun suggested a plan that includes creating security at the community level, having good governance, modernizing livestock farming through ranching, and making land reforms fairer.
He ended by giving a strong warning that if the insecurity in the Middle Belt is not addressed, it could lead to the collapse of the entire country.
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